Chicago Craft Beer Events, January 27-30

Monday, January 27

6:00 pm ♦ "Beer Hunter" Screening at The GageThe Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago 312-372-4243
The Gage is honored to host the Chicago premiere of "The Beer Hunter", a documentary about the beloved and influential beer and whiskey journalist Michael Jackson. From 6pm-10pm sip on brews during this private screening and chat with our expert beer panel. They will discuss the craft beer scene, as well as the role that Michael Jackson played. His books on beer and whiskey have sold millions of copies, and his 1993 Discovery Channel television series, "The Beer Hunter", inspired countless brewers and beer enthusiasts such as panelists Jared Rouben, Master Brewer at Moody Tongue Brewing Company, Randy Mosher from 5 Rabbit Brewery, author of Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink, and Pat Fahey, Master Cicerone and Exam Content Manager. Michael Jackson literally helped shape the course of the craft brewing revolution sweeping the world.
In our private dining space, nosh on Gage favorites while filling your 5oz souvenir tasting glass with local brews from Half Acre, Revolution, Destihl, 5 Rabbit, Great Lakes and Ale Syndicate. Each guest will receive complimentary raffle tickets for a chance to win beer enthusiast prizes.
Purchase tickets for this event at The Gage or at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $40.
A portion of the proceeds go to the National Parkinson's Foundation.

7:00 - 9:00 pm ♦ Small Town "Not Your Father's Root Beer" SamplingRockit Bar and Grill, 22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago
At 10% ABV, Small Town Brewery'sNot Your Father's Root Beer has a silky, smooth and satisfying finish that appeals to craft beer aficionados as well as those who don't typically drink beer but crave something unique. The award-winning brew achieved a 94 rating from Beer Advocate with kegs consistently selling out at taverns across the city.
Bonus: to get your taste buds ready for the sampling, Not Your Father's Root Beer will be Rockit's Craft Beer of the Month the entire month of January! Stop in to try this special brew while it lasts.

Tuesday, January 28

Upland Sours Release Lottery
Online, through Upland Brewing Co., 350 W. 11th St., Bloomington, IN
Upland Brewing Company will open an online lottery for the release of three of its sour ales: Raspberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry fruited Lambic-style ales.In an effort to see as many sour-loving smiles as possible, bottles will be limited to two bottles per style per winner, for a total of six bottles.
The lottery, at www.UplandSours.eventbrite.com, will open at noonEDT on Tuesday January 28th and close at noon February 4th. Either the Brew Pub in Bloomington or the Indianapolis Tasting Room in Broad Ripple must be specified as the preferred pick-up location at the time of entry, and pickup locations cannot be changed after a reservation request has been made.
Bottles may be picked up at the Bloomington Brew Pub 11am-midnight Monday through Thursday, 11am-1am Friday and Saturday, and noon to midnight Sunday, or at the Indianapolis Tasting Room 4pm-10pm Monday Through Thursday and noon to midnight Friday and Saturday. Please note the Indianapolis Tasting Room cannot sell carryout on Sunday, in accordance with Indiana state law.
Lottery winners will be randomly drawn and notified via email on February 6th, and can purchase the sour ale(s) they selected at their preferred pickup location from February 12th through February 26th. Each bottle will cost $25 plus applicable sales tax.

5:00 pm ♦ Off Color Night with Glassware GiveawayNorthdown Cafe & Taproom, 3244 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago (773) 697-7578
Join us Tuesday night for Off Color Brewing Night! We'll have three drafts and a glassware giveaway, PLUS the joy of spending the evening with Laffler! On draft: Apex Predator, A dry-hopped Pils, and a one-off made just for the event. Limited Off Color Glassware to take home -- buy two of the beers & keep the glass! While supplies last!

5:00 - 9:00 pm ♦ Bell's Hopslam On Tap!Standard Market, 333 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL (630) 366-7030Bell's BreweryHopslam, a highly sought after beer made with six hop varieties, is in the house! We're celebrating the yearly release with an evening of beer and its classic pairing:chicken wings. Chef Erin will be frying her famous Buffalo wings while our beer experts will be pouring drafts of Bell's Hopslam, Smitten (a seasonal gold rye ale), and Two Hearted (Bell's famous American IPA). The kegs will be tapped at 5pm sharp!

6:00 pm ♦ Doc B's Fresh Kitchen Beer Dinner #001: Central Waters Brewing Co.Doc B's Fresh Kitchen, 100 E. Walton St., Chicago 312-626-1300
Doc B's Fresh Kitchen will be hosting their first in a series of beer dinners with Lakeshore Beverage. Beer Dinner #001 will feature full pours of five craft brews from Central Waters Brewing Co. (Amherst, WI), and a four-course meal prepared by Doc B's executive chéf, Ed McIntosh (C.I.A. '06).
Learn about the intricacies of pairing fresh food with local craft beer as a representative from Central Waters Brewing Co. and chef McIntosh guide you through the menu; talking about the flavor profiles of the beer and why they pair well with the selected dish. Specialty pint glasses from Central Waters Brewing will be given to lucky guests to take home (while supplies last)! Guests must be 21 or over to attend. Tickets are $55 through Eventbrite. Find the menu at this link, too.

7:00 pm ♦ Hopslam on the BrainStandard Bar, 1332 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 773-904-8615
Spend a fine Tuesday evening at the Standard challenging your brain with Trivia while sipping on Hopslam. There will be Bell's prizes as part of Trivia, as well as some bonus beer questions.

5:00 - 7:00 pm ♦ Wednesday Tasting - Revolution Brewing CompanyAndersonville Wine & Spirits, 5201 N. Clark St., Chicago
We'll be tasting out some brews from one of our favorites, Revolution Brewing Company! Along with some year-round beers we are hoping to showcase some of their seasonal brews too, such as TV Party and A Little Crazy!

6:00 pm ♦ Judas Feast: A Solemn Oath Beer DinnerBangers and Lace, 1670 W. Division St., Chicago (773) 252-6499
It's the beer dinner you've all been waiting for! We're teaming up with Solemn Oath Brewery, located right around the corner in good ol' Naperville. We've been into their awesome beers since from the minute they started brewing, so we're extra excited to give them five lines for their stellar product and devise the perfect dish to pair with each.
Here's a sneak peek at which Solemn Oath beers we're pouring:Butterfly Flashmob Belgian IPA, Combat Marshmallow American Double Stout, Big Pern Barrel Aged Belgian Rye Brown, Interrobang Belgian Triple, Death By Vikings Imperial IPA.
You'll want to stick around after dinner, because it's rude to eat and run – but we're also turning our draft chalkboard into a Midwestern Wonderland, with all lines going to some of our favorite nearby breweries: Solemn Oath Brewery, Three Floyds Brewing, Revolution Brewing, Half Acre Beer Company, Surly Brewing Co., and Off Color Brewing.
Five beers + five courses. Tickets available here (limited quantity)!

SurlyDarkness Bottle Release in the store. At 6pm we're giving out raffle tickets. 1 per customer. At 7pm we start calling out numbers. If you're ticket is called then you may bring it to the counter where you may purchase your bottle of Darkness. Limit 1 per customer.

Flying DogKujo Imperial Coffee Stout tapping! This beer is great out of the bottle. It's so delicious poured from a fresh keg. Now we get the rare privilege to enjoy Kujo while it's still alive and kickin' in a firkin cask! This is unfiltered, unpasteurized, without any added carbonation and served at cellar room temperature! It's as real as an ale gets!

6:30 pm ♦ Beer Academy - Big BeersGoose Island Brewpub, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago (312) 915-0071
Join Goose Island brewers on the last Wednesday of each month to learn about a different beer theme. Enjoy a sample of different beers from various craft breweries. $25 per person. To RSVP call 312.915.0071.

Thursday, January 30

4:00 pm ♦ Thursday Tapping at Tribes Alehouse TinleyThe Tribes Alehouse, 9501 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, IL (708) 966-2051DeschutesThe Abyss Imperial Stout: A first on tap for us! A deep, dark Imperial Stout, The Abyss has almost immeasurable depth and complexity. Hints of molasses, licorice and other alluring flavors make it something not just to quaff, but contemplate. As for the great "drink it now or let it age" debate, we stand clearly on the fence. Distinct and delicious on release, the flavors meld and fuse into an entirely different pleasure a year on.

5:00 pm ♦ Revolution Tap TakeoverTap House Grill, 1472 Market St, Des Plaines, IL (847) 813-9996
16 Beers tapped including a firkin from the brewery to be announced the day of.

7:00 pm ♦ Passport to Cider: Artisanal Pomme Beverages From Around The WorldHopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago (773) 334-9851
If you're curious about hard cider and are looking to expand your knowledge, we have the perfect opportunity. Join us for an evening of cider education, in which you will have the chance to learn about ciders from England, Scotland, France, Spain and the US.
Cider expert Brian Rutzen will take you through the history and process of cider making as well as how European trends are influencing how cider is being made in the US today.
We will have folks from Shelton Brothers, Paramount Merchants, Louis Glunz, B. United and Artisanal Imports sampling and talking.
Fountainhead Chef Cleetus Friedman will be stopping by to talk about their latest venture - Chicago's first cider bar, The Northman to open in 2014.
Light snacks will be provided.
This will be a small, intimate event. Limited tickets available, $30 at Brown Paper Tickets
You must be 21 to attend. IDs will be checked at the door.